The
Rock Fort temple complex in Tiruchirappalli is a collection of three temples -
the Manikka Vinayakar temple at the foot of the hill, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil
at the top of the hill and the Taayumaanavar Koyil (Shivastalam) on the hill.
This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill and is the most prominent
landmark in Tiruchirappalli that can be reached by a flight of steps on the way
to the famous Ucchi Pillayar temple.

The
spectacular Rock Fort Temple,
the landmark of the city, is on the shores of the River Cauvery. It is perched
on a massive rocky outcrop at an altitude of 83 m above sea level. The
Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated halfway to the top.
It has a 100-pillar Hall and a vimana covered with gold. On the southern face of the rock are
several beautifully carved rock-cut cave temples of the Pallava period.

Ranganatha Temple (Srirangam):

Srirangam
is a small town located 9 kms North of Tiruchirappalli city and is known for
its temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This is one of the largest temple
complexes of Tamil Nadu comprising an area of 148 acres. The Ranganatha temple
complex as it exists today has evolved over a period of four centuries. The
temple originally constructed in 10th century has undergone extensive
reconstructions during the period of Nayaka rulers. The temple complex is
dominated by 21 gopurams with walls defining its seven enclosures. The most
magnificent part is the spacious Thousand-Columned Mandapa, where images of
Ranganatha and his consort are worshiped during festivals

Shrouded
in a haze of coconut palms away to the north, the temple is built on an island
in the middle of the Kaveri and covers an area of 2.5 sq km. Enclosed by seven
rectangular walled courtyards, this 13th-century temple has 21 gopurams, the
largest of which was built in 1987 and measures 73 m in height. The temple is
connected to the mainland by a bridge. The temple is replete with excellent
carvings and numerous shrines dedicated to various gods. It is believed that
Sri Ramanujar the Vaishnavite saint and philosopher is embalmed inside the
temple premises in the Sri Ramanujar Sannidhi.

Sanctity
is accorded to a place on the basis of its threefold
popularity of the presiding deity, the quality of the holy
waters and its hoary past. The holy
shrine of Srirangam has all these
attributes in rich
measure. The township of Srirangam enveloping the shrine
is situated on a tiny island formed by the bifurcation of the river Cauvery
at a place called Mukkombu
(Upper anaicut).
The southern distributary
of the river retains the name Cauvery,
while the northern branch is called Coleroon.
The abode of the Supreme Lord, Sri Ranganatha, and the reclining form of Lord
Vishnu is situated in Srirangam 8 kilometers from
Trichy city. There are not less than 22 gopurams, one of
which is the tallest in India. The 72m high 13-tiered Rajagopuram was built in
1987 while the remaining 21 gopurams were built between 14th and 17th
centuries.

This
temple is at Sri Rangam Island, in the middle of the Cauvery River. This temple
was built by various dynasties including the cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas
and the Vijayanagar Empire between 13th and 18th centuries.

The temple of Ranganatha, the largest in
India, is of particular reverence to all Hindus. Srirangam is also listed as
one of the Nava Graha Sthalas, or temples representing the planets.

Gangaikondacholapuram:

The
Brahadeeswarar temple at Gangaikondacholapuram was conceived and constructed by
the Chola King Rajendra -I after his victory over the kingdoms bordering the
river Ganga. Apart from the huge Nandi, there are some beautiful sculptures
including a dancing Ganesha,a lion-headed well and a stunning frieze depicting
Rajendra being crowned by Siva and Parvati.

GangaikondaCholapuram
is located in Udayarpalayam Taluk (also spelt as Taluka) of Perambalur
district, at a distance of 100-km from Trichy. Rajendra I, a Chola ruler
established GangaikondaCholapuram as his capital city and built a magnificent
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Apart
from the huge Nandi, there are some beautiful sculptures including a dancing
Ganesha, a lion-headed well and a stunning piece depicting Rajendra being
crowned by Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Sittannavasal:

In
this village are the remains of 2nd century B.C.Jain cave temple. Fresco
paintings reminiscent of Ajanta adorn the walls. Many of them are typical of
the 9th century Pandyan period and include exquisitely detailed pictures of
animals, fish, ducks, people gathering lotuses from a pond and two dancing
figures. There are also inscriptions dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries.
Fresco painting from the 7th century can be seen on the ceiling of the
Ardhamandapam. There are many pre-historic burial sites around Sittannavasal
and among the relics unearthed are burial urns, cists and Kurangupatarai.

Sri Kokarneswarar Temple:

The
rock-cut cave temple of Sri Kokarneswarar Brahadambal at Thirukokarnam is of
Mahendravarma Pallava's period.

This
is a very important place of pilgrimage, famous for its temple dedicated to the
Goddess Mariamman .The people believe that what they pray will occur. In the
Tamil month 'Chithitai' there will be a car festival and Poochoridhal will be
celebrated in

The Samayapuram Mariamman Temple is located 12 km north of the Trichy central bus
terminus on Trichy-Chennai NH 45. The Maariamman Temple is one of the most
visited shrines in Tamilnadu, dedicated to Maariamman, a manifestation of the
primeval energy shakti as the mother goddess. The offerings are in various
forms. The most common offering is the mavilakku mavu made of jagery,
rice-flour, dhal and ghee. Mariamman is believed to be a form of shakti
associated with prosperity and health. Local beliefs associate the deity with
cures for diseases such as small-pox and chicken-pox. Samayapuram was a local
capital of the Vijayanagar rulers in the vicinity of Tiruchirappalli, and was
known as Vikramapuram.

Samayapuram,
lying at a distance of 11 km from Trichy in Lalgudi taluk, is famous for the
shrine of Goddess Mariamman. It has a rich legendary and historical background.

Tirupattur
is located around 5 km from Samayapuram. It is famous for its Bramhapureeswarar
Temple which has a huge shrine for Lord Brahma. This is the second of the two temples dedicated to Lord
Bramha in the world. The first being in Pushkar near Ajmer, Rajasthan

Uthamar Koil:

Uthamar
Koil in Karumbanur is one of the most famous shrines in 108 Vaishnavik
Padalshtalam. This temple is situated eight kilometres north of Trichy Fort
Station, 4 km north of Srirangam railway station. Here is the temple where the
Lord Creator - Brahma, the lord for the well being of the universe - Vishnu and
the destroyer of universe - Siva take their abode. This place is also known as
" Kadambavanam" or "Trimurthishektram".

Kodumbalur:

Also
known as "Moovarkoil", Kodumbalur is 36-km from Pudukkottai and 42-km
from Tiruchirappalli. It was formerly the seat of Irukkuvelirs, who were
related to the Cholas. Of the three shrines of Moovarkoil only two exist now.
Boodhi Vikramakesari built these temples in the 10th century AD. The
architecture of the temple is unique among south Indian temples. The sculptures
of Kalarimurthi, Gajasamharamurthi Ardhanariswara, Gangadaramurthi, etc. are
interesting masterpieces of art. Nearby is the Muchukundeswarar temple of the
early Chola period.

Elakurichi:

This place is famous for its temple
for Vishnu, known as Prasanna Venkateswarar.

Malai Koil:

This
temple, dedicated to Lord Siva os also called as 'Erumbeeshwarar temple'. Erumbeeswarar Temple, also known as Tiruverumbeeswarar Temple, is located at Thiruverumbur, in Tiruchirappalli District of Tamil Nadu. It is located
about 15 km east of Tiruchirapalli, on the way to Thanjavur. Dedicated to Lord
Shiva, the temple enshrines Erumbeeswarar as the presiding deity along with his
consort Saurabhya Kudalaambal.The temple has several inscriptions dating back
to the Chola and Pandya period.

Viralimalai:

Viralimalai
is a small town situated at a distance of 30-km from Tiruchirappalli and 40-km
from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock
sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which
roam around the Murugan temple.

Ayyapan Koil:

Located
near the district court of Trichy, is a peaceful temple and attracts many
people in all week days. This temple is famous for its discipline and neatness.

Jambukeswara Temple:

Dedicated
to Lord Shiva, Jambukeshwara temple is situated 2 kms east of Srirangam and 10
kms from Tiruchirapalli. The temple is named after the elephant which is
believed to have worshipped Lord Siva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu
tree, the lingam is partially submerged by water and meant to represent God
incarnate as water.

It has
five walls and seven gopurams with a finest Dravidian architecture work.

The
principal deity is the shiva lingam, almost submerged in water, which flows
from the subterranean spring in the sanctum sanctorum. It is one of the
panchabhoota sthalam - representing five basic elements. This is the Appu
Sthalam among the Pancha Bootha Sthalams.

This
temple is situated about 2.5 km east of the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple. It has
an interior with a large central court, an excellent example of the Dravidian
architecture of AD 1600. The rampant dragons, elaborate foliated brackets and
royal Nayak portraits are incorporated to its courtyards pillars.

Katha Veeraiya swamy
temple:

Katha
Veeraiya swamy temple is a very famous temple in Tamil Nadu. It is located in
Pachur near Mannachanallur. (Bus root no 27A, E)

Hazarath Nathervali:

It is ancient Durga
more than 1000 years old.
It is marvelous architecture; the doom is made up of shining marbles
giving a great look to the Durga. It is also situated
in the heart of Trichy City.

Kailasamundaiyar
Temple:

It
is located amidst lush green paddyfields and sylvan surrounding on the northern
banks of the Uyyakondan channel in a sleepy hamlet named Cholamadevi near
Thiruverumbur, 12 km away from Trichy City. For a trained eye, the history of
this dilapidated temple wouldn't go unnoticed.

Avadayar Koil:

Avadayar Koil, previously known as
"Thiruperunthurai", is an important Shivasthala located at a distance
of 8 miles from the Arantangi railway station and about 94-km from Trichy. The
sculptural work of the temple is exquisite. It is perhaps the best architectural
marvel in South India. Gunaseelam:

Located at a distance of 22-km from Trichy is Gunaseelam, a
place famous for its temple for Lord Vishnu, known as "Prasanna
Venkateswara".

Mutts:

Ramakrishna Mutt:

It has been started during 1949 by
respected Ramaswamy Adikal .During 1950, The Primary School for the Orphan and
later upgraded as High School. Only Boys Who's having no parents are admitted
Gurugulam Method Is practiced. Any time of the year from First Std to Eight Std
admission is being made. Nearly 300 children are Studying

Ramakrishna Mutt is functioning at
Thiruparaithurai. It is a service organization with the intention of uplifting
down trodden and poor children of South India. Poor and down trodden children
are given free food and shelter with good education including imperative
training in technical skills In Making Garland .Since 1985 Stands On Its Own
Funds and no donation Is accepted. The lush green setting of the institution on
the banks of the River Cauvery at Thirupparaithurai is condusive all throughout
the year. The philosophy of Ramakrishna and his disciple Vivekananda are
projected here.

Ragavendra Mutt:

Ragavendra temple at Ragavendra
Mutt lies at Srirangam. The life of the saint has been displayed here paintings

Ahobila Mutt:

The
Ahobila mutt, Srirangam a religious institution of importance in Tamilnadu ,
which is traditionally presided over by a saint noted for learning and piety
,has its headquarters at Ahobilam

Situated
on the banks of the river Cauvery, Tiruchirappalli, the fourth largest city in
the state was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas.
But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city
and lost it to the Pandiyas several times.

This
tug of war finally ended when the Cholas reasserted themselves in the 10th
century. The fort of Trichy continued to be in their possession until the
decline of the empire after which it became a Vijayanagar stronghold. When this
empire collapsed in 1565, Trichy came to be occupied in turn by the Nayaks of
Madurai, the Marathas, the Navabs of Carnatic, the French and finally the
British. But it was under Nayaks of Madurai that Trichy flourished and
prospered in its own right and grew to be the city that it is today.

Trichy
is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart
from the fort, there are several churches colleges and missions dating back to
the 1760s. With its excellent infrastructure facilities, Trichy will serve as a
good base to see central Tamilnadu.

Festivals: Samayapuram
Mariamman Temple Festival:

Every
year 3 important festivals--Poochoriyal,pancha prakaram and Brahmotsavam
attract pilgrims to this temple. During Poochoriyal, flowers worth Rs.35, 000
to 50,000 are showered on the deity for 24 hours.

Thousands
of people from various castes and communities throng the temple, when
Brahmotsavam is performed in the month of April,

Devotees
from Malaysia, Singapore, Srilanka and other far-off places visit Samayaburam
to fulfill their vows for the many benefits they received through Her grace.

Those who are
unable to personally present their offerings,will send it by post.Allur Jallathiru Vizha:

During Puratasi Ammavasai, the woman
of folk of Allur give the money and ask the potter to make new cow and calf for
the Pooja and collect them next month.(same new moon day) 9 days they will
conduct Pooja with chanting of religions songs for the cow and calf. 10th day
they will have Kolatam dance and will have procession with the cow and calf at
Allur.

Later
they will proceed to the banks of the river Cauvery & sub merges the cow
and calf in the river. They will offer sweet Pongal and distribute to one and all.

The
same type of Jalatharai takes place at Madurai, Tirunelveli and Chinnamanur.

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